Me, Fanya and Magda all bundled off to Balibob's villa for xmas dinner.

Balibob worked his arse off to prepare a great traditional xmas feast with all the trimmings for 15 or so guests. sweat literally poured off him -- he had to change shirts four times while we were there -- as he ran around preparing the turkey, roast beef, ham, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes, sauces, puddings, mince pies and god knows what else ... oh yes, haggis, but that doesn't really count as food, does it?

all washed down with copious quantities of fluids of every kind.

my assessment of scottish cooks ("grease fires. the scourge of the scottish chef") will now require a significant qualifier ... barely a millilitre of oil was to be seen anywhere on my plate!

a very pleasant day was had by all ...

Here's a few photos (more to follow next week when fanya sends me hers):

magda and fanya in front of the villa. (acutally, it's the back of the villa that faces the ocean, but you know what i mean ...)

magda obstructs the view of the beach in front of the villa.

fanya and magda waiting for xmas dinner to start. balibob is the red flash in the background ... he hardly ever stopped ...

a disgusting balibob haggis. fortunately, there was heaps of other good food to eat!

after such a pleasant xmas, what better to follow it than a day at the beach. Kuta, in this case. i love body surfing. it requires a good deal more energy and physical effort than board surfing, but nothing can beat the feeling of your own body becoming part of a powerful ocean wave. unfortuately, waves in Kuta are smallish, and the wrong shape to give really good, long rides, but i was too lazy to go looking for surf beaches.

Boring and very unexcited...but for sure it's paradise; got to gathered and celebrated this holiday season with dear ones. Thanks for the warm greetings from some of my friends here...*smooches to all*. Especially for my soul brother - thanks for the long distance call and happy new year greeting (even though am sure you just got so bored and nothing to do at that time... ), hoping to see you soon in big durien (lots of shocking gossips awaited for you)!